It is not difficult to understand why this languorous Franco ero-drama
caused quite the controversy when released in 1970. It is sexually
frank and throws in incest, lesbianism and interracial kissing with
gleeful abandon.

Today, it seems very tame from a graphic point of view, but its sexual
politics are way ahead of the ultra-conservative (sexual) climate the
film industry currently operates in.

This is not an el cheapo Franco flutter shot on a castle set with bad
lighting and hit-and-miss focus. It is beautifully shot by Manuel
Merino and, as always, Bruno Nicolai delivers a rich, evocative score.

Eugenie's "journey" into perversion encompasses light lesbianism, a
little rough intercourse and some soft whipping of her tender breasts.
She emerges more lost and confused than liberated and ends up wandering
nude for several minutes on an island; this sequence, the film's
strongest, is quite surreal.

Marie Liljedahl, who plays Eugenie, is not Soledad Miranda, and is
quite bland in her leading lady role.

Jack Taylor is suitably oily as Maria Rohm's lust-filled brother and
Rohm makes the most of her role as Eugene's corrupter.

I like EUGENIE DE SADE quite a bit more than this and find it far more
erotic, but this is worth a look, if not high praise.

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